In this module, you will learn to accord the verb with the correct number of a subject when that subject is

Within correlative conjunctions

Adjacent a parenthetical expression.
As a writer, there will be times when you may have to offer an alternative choice. In some cases, you will have to offer many choices. What we need to investigate is the either/or feature of writing. For this "either/or" feature of writing, we enter into the realm of correlative conjunctions.
We are concerned with those correlative conjunctions and one other conjunction that influence our subject/verb agreement. The influence arises from the manner in which the conjunctions offer alternate choices stemming from a mutual relationship. Or to put it another way, the conjunctions are used in pairs; you can't use one conjunction without using its mutually related partner.
Now let's see what we mean by alternatives. At the same time, we'll use our first pair of correlative conjunctions: "either" and its mutually related partner "or."
Sentence:
"EITHER the man OR his wife has ordered the fish."
You have two choices of subjects. The two choices are the alternatives in this sentence.
One alternative follows "either," and the second alternative follows "or."
In this sentence, we're talking about an alternative.
Either the "man" or his "wife," not the both of them, has ordered the fish.
So if the "man" ordered the fish, the singular verb "has" agrees with the singular subject
"man."
On the other hand, if the singular subject "wife" ordered the fish, the singular verb "has" agrees with the singular "wife." In this sentence, both alternatives are singular; so we have no verb problem.
Let's look at another sentence and at the same time say hello to another pair of correlative conjunctions: "neither" and "nor."
Sentence:
"NEITHER the men NOR their wives have ordered the fish."
One alternative follows "Neither," and the other alternative follows "nor."
Both alternatives are plural so, as in the previous sentence, we have no verb problem.
Problem

A problem arises in subject/verb agreement when one of the alternatives is singular and the other is plural. Let's try another sentence and another pair of correlative conjunctions:
"not only" and its mutually related partner "but also."
Sentence:
"NOT ONLY the cupboards BUT ALSO the table is to be painted."
One alternative follows "Not only" and the other alternative follows "but also." In this sentence, we're talking about a combined alternative. Not only the "cupboards" but also
"the table," not this one or that one, but both.
We can see at a glance that the objects that need painting are plural. The "cupboards" and the "table" obviously make a plural combination. If we use the correct plural verb "are" right after the singular alternative "table," the resulting sentence is awkward and draws unnecessary attention to itself. Try it.
"Not only the cupboards but also the table are to be painted."
Harsh, isn't it?
So what is the solution?
With correlative conjunctions, the verb agrees with the nearer of the alternatives.
Procedure
Let's try a few more sentences and work out some system to solve the problem of subject/verb agreement with correlative conjunctions. And we'll introduce the last pair of correlative conjunctions: "not" and its mutually related partner "but."
Choose the correct word from within the parentheses.
Sentence:
"Not glue but several clamps (is, are) required."
1. Identify the correlative conjunctions.
We identify "not" and "but."
2. Identify the simple alternatives (simple subjects).
We identify "glue" (singular) and "clamps" (plural).
3. Identify the number of the alternative closer to the verb.
We identify the plural "clamps."
4. Make the verb agree in number with the nearer alternative.
We select the plural verb "are" to agree with the nearer, plural alternative "clamps."
Once again, the nearer alternative governs the number of the verb.
Let's try another one and at the same time introduce the last conjunction with which we're concerned: "or."
"Or" is a co-ordinating conjunction; but when it connects alternatives, we treat "or" as a correlative conjunction.
Choose the correct word from within the parentheses.
Sentence:
"Five nails or one large screw (provides, provide) sufficient support."

Identify the number of the alternative closer to the verb.
We identify the singular "screw."
We select the singular verb "provides" to agree with the nearer, singular "screw."
A WORD OF CAUTION: "Or" as a correlative conjunction can be deceptive. Look at the following sentence.
"Three pails, two buckets, or one small barrel (is, are) required for the oil change."
Don't let the number of alternates before the "or" fool you: The rule still holds true.
Here's a consolidated list of the correlative conjunctions you should memorize.
List:
Both and, either or, neither nor, not only but also, not but, or.
At times, you will want to add "extra information" to what you are writing. By "extra information," I mean that you are adding additional but nonessential information. You are adding information that's "nice to know," not information that we "need to know." Using parenthetical expressions is one way to add this information.
Let's look at this sentence:
"The Huxley pressure-control valve has to be lubricated after every 20 hours of operation."
The main message here is that the "valve" has to be "lubricated" after every 20 hours of operation. But we want people to know that all pressure-control valves need this lubrication.
Let's add "parenthetical information" to what we've written about the valve. To add this
"nonessential information," we would use commas. The sentence could look like this:
"The Huxley pressure-control valve, like all other pressure-control valves, has to be lubricated after every 20 hours of operation."
NOTE that the additional "parenthetical information" has been introduced by the phrase
"like all other . . . " and has been set apart by commas as if it (the nonessential or parenthetical information) were not part of the sentence.
Use two commas if the "parenthetical information" is imbedded in the sentence and one comma if the expression starts or ends a sentence.
Examples of parenthetical punctuation.
"The house, along with all the furniture, is being auctioned."
"Along with all the furniture, the house is being auctioned."
"The house is being auctioned, along with all the furniture."

Procedure
For subject/verb agreement, strike out the parenthetical expression.
Sentence:
"The house, along with all the furniture, is being auctioned."
The house is being auctioned.
Identify the verb.
We identify the verb "is being auctioned" and the subject "house."
Here is a list of the more common phrases indicating the start of parenthetical expressions that provide "nonessential information."
List:
With, along with, as well as, plus, without, besides, together, with, except, including, alongside, accompanied by, like all other, in addition to, with the exception of, like, like most, in the company of.
NOTE: At times, special words or phrases do not introduce parenthetical expressions. Try the two sentences that follow.
Sentence:
"Everything, sofas, tables, lamps, is on sale."
"Everything" is the subject. "Sofas, tables, lamps" form a parenthetical expression.
Sentence:
"Everyone, men, women, and children alike, is waiting for the arrival of the governor."
I hope you agree with "is" because "men, women, and children alike" form a parenthetical expression that is not introduced by any special word or phrase.
Practice
Let's try subject/verb agreement in a few more sentences containing parenthetical expressions.
Sentence:
"My sister, plus her friends, (is, are) going to a slumber party."
Strike out all parenthetical expressions.
My sister (is, are) going to a slumber party.
Identify the verb and the subject.
We identify "(is, are) going" and the subject "sister."
Many inadequate writers fail to punctuate parenthetical expressions correctly with commas.
So in the last two practice sentences, we will leave out the punctuation. You will have to hunt diligently for the parenthetical expressions.
Choose the correct word from within the parentheses.

Sentence:
"Sri together with Polly and Fred (needs, need) a ride to school."
Strike out all parenthetical expressions.
"Sri (needs, need) a ride to school."
"Sri" is the simple singular subject of the complete singular verb "needs."
Sentence:
"The teacher including all her students (waits, wait) patiently."
In your mind, strike out the parenthetical expression.
Now, what is your subject? Make the verb agree in number.
Right! "The teacher"..."waits."
For the following 10 questions, select the answer that correctly identifies the simple subject (the alternative), its number (plural or singular), and your choice from the parentheses. The answers appear after the last question.
1. Like all students, Miguel (thinks, think) he will graduate and find a career position.
A. All, plural, think
B. Students, plural, think
C. Miguel, singular, thinks
D. All, singular, thinks
2. The team, plus the coaches and cheerleaders, (waits, wait) for the opening whistle.
A. Team, plural, wait
B. Team, singular, waits
C. Team, coaches, cheerleaders, plural, wait
D. Cheerleaders, plural, wait
3. The whole collection, including the rare Algerian stamps, (was, were) to be on display next week.
A. Collection, plural, were
B. Stamps, plural, were
C. Collection, singular, was
D. Collection, stamps, plural, were
4. The researchers, as well as their sponsor, (thinks, think) a breakthrough is very near.
A. Researchers, plural, think
B. Sponsor, singular, thinks
C. Researchers, sponsor, plural, think
5. Your last submission, like your previous ones, (does, do) not take into account the cost of excavation.
A. Ones, plural, do
B. Submission, singular, does
C. Submission, ones, plural, do
6. Neither the cost quotation nor the computer calculations (reflects, reflect) the method of delivery.

A. Cost, singular, reflects
B. Cost, calculations, plural, reflect
C. Quotation, singular, reflects
D. Calculations, plural, reflect
7. Either this contract or the new one (needs, need) to show the schedule of payments.
A. Either, singular, needs
B. Contract, one, plural, need
C. Either, one, plural, need
D. One, singular, needs
8. Not the wages but the benefits clause (is, are) the major issue at this collective bargaining session
A. Wages, plural, are
B. Benefits, plural, are
C. Clause, singular, is
D. Issue, singular, is
9. Neither the consumers nor the retailers (looks, look) forward to the transportation strike.
A. Retailers, plural, look
B. Consumers, retailers, plural, look
C. Neither, singular, looks
D. Neither, nor, plural, look
10. Not only the consumer but also the retailer (has, have) regained confidence in the economy.
A. Consumer, retailer, plural, have
B. Retailer, singular, has
C. Consumer, singular, has
Answers
1, C. 2, B. 3, C. 4, A. 5, B. 6, D. 7, D. 8, C. 9, A. 10, B.